The Government of India will provide unique identification numbers to school children above 5 years of age. The biometric data collected will help in tracking student progress and assist in the proper implementation of scheme's like the mid-day meal.

New Delhi: The Government of India is planning to provide unique identification (UID) numbers to all schoolchildren above five years age to track their progress at every stage.

“Each child will get a number which will stay with him/her for life,” UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani said. “While fingerprint stability begins at the age of 15, the iris stabilises at 5. Hence, all children above 5 will be mapped and given UID numbers. This will help improve quality of education,” he said.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Ministry of Human Resource Development and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to this effect.

Enrolling agencies will gather biometric data and hand it over to states and HRD Ministry which will use software to keep track of students’ attendance, grades, etc.

“UID numbers will also track children’s immunisation and movement. It will also be useful in the implementation of the mid-day meal scheme under which bogus entries are made in some places to show a high number of students,” HRD minister Kapil Sibal said.

He said the government will track student mobility by creating an electronic registry right from the primary/elementary level to the secondary level and higher education. It will also track student movement between institutions.

“Imprinting of UID numbers on performance records of students (mark sheets, merit certificates, migration certificates, etc) will also help prospective employers and educational institutions. Besides, tracking dropouts and out-of-school children, it will be helpful in tracking the progress of underprivileged children as they are admitted through right to education,” HRD minister Kapil Sibal said.

Students’ degrees too will have UID numbers to prevent fakes. Over the years, it will become mandatory to mention UID numbers at the time of school and college admissions.